Secure video distribution

ABSTRACT

Apparatus having corresponding methods, business methods, and computer programs comprises an input circuit to receive packets of encrypted encoded video data from a network; a storage device to store the encrypted encoded video data; a retrieve circuit to retrieve the encrypted encoded video data from the storage device; a decrypt circuit to decrypt the encrypted encoded video data into encoded video data while the retrieve circuit retrieves the encrypted encoded video data from the storage device; and an output circuit to transmit a signal representing the encoded video data while the decrypt circuit decrypts the encrypted encoded video data.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to data communications. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to secure videodistribution.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatuscomprising: an input circuit to receive packets of encrypted encodedvideo data from a network; a storage device to store the encryptedencoded video data; a retrieve circuit to retrieve the encrypted encodedvideo data from the storage device; a decrypt circuit to decrypt theencrypted encoded video data into encoded video data while the retrievecircuit retrieves the encrypted encoded video data from the storagedevice; and an output circuit to transmit a signal representing theencoded video data while the decrypt circuit decrypts the encryptedencoded video data.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. In someembodiments, the storage device does not store any substantial portionof the encoded video data. In some embodiments, the video datarepresents one or more videos, the apparatus further comprising: a queuecircuit to determine a number of the videos stored on the storagedevice; and a further output circuit to transmit a message to thenetwork, the message representing the number of the videos stored on thestorage device. Some embodiments comprise a control circuit to receive acommand to discard one of the videos stored on the storage device;wherein the storage device discards the one of the videos in response tothe control circuit; wherein the queue circuit then determines thecurrent number of the videos stored on the storage device; and whereinthe further output circuit then transmits a message to the network, themessage representing the current number of the videos stored on thestorage device. In some embodiments, the network comprises the Internet.Some embodiments comprise a further input circuit to receive the signalrepresenting the encoded video data; a decode circuit to decode theencoded video data into video data while the further input circuitreceives the signal representing the encoded video data; and a furtheroutput circuit to output a multimedia signal representing the video datawhile the decode circuit decodes the encoded video data. In someembodiments, the apparatus does not store any substantial portion of thevideo data or the encoded video data. In some embodiments, themultimedia signal comprises a high-definition television signal. Someembodiments comprise a first network port to receive the packets ofencrypted encoded video data and first other data from the network, andto transmit second other data to the network; a second network port totransmit the first other data to a local network, and to receive thesecond other data from the local network; and a switch to pass thepackets of encrypted encoded video data from the first network port tothe input circuit, and to pass the first and second other data betweenthe first and second network ports. In some embodiments, the firstnetwork port receives first voice data and transmits second voice data,further comprising: an analog telephone interface to transmit firstanalog telephone signals representing the first voice data, and toreceive second analog telephone signals representing the second voicedata; wherein the switch passes the first and second voice data betweenthe first network port and the analog telephone interface. In someembodiments, the signal representing the encoded video data is awireless signal which is compliant with at least one standard selectedfrom the group consisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b,802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatuscomprising: input means for receiving packets of encrypted encoded videodata from a network; storage means for storing the encrypted encodedvideo data; retrieve means for retrieving the encrypted encoded videodata from the storage means; decrypt means for decrypting the encryptedencoded video data into encoded video data while the retrieve meansretrieves the encrypted encoded video data from the storage means; andoutput means for transmitting a signal representing the encoded videodata while the decrypt means decrypts the encrypted encoded video data.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. In someembodiments, the storage means does not store any substantial portion ofthe encoded video data. In some embodiments, the video data representsone or more videos, the apparatus further comprising: queue means fordetermining a number of the videos stored on the storage means; andfurther output means for transmitting a message to the network, themessage representing the number of the videos stored on the storagemeans. Some embodiments comprise control means for receiving a commandto discard one of the videos stored on the storage means; wherein thestorage means discards the one of the videos in response to the controlmeans; wherein the queue means then determines the current number of thevideos stored on the storage means; and wherein the further output meansthen transmits a message to the network, the message representing thecurrent number of the videos stored on the storage means. In someembodiments, the network comprises the Internet. Some embodimentscomprise further input means for receiving the signal representing theencoded video data; decode means for decoding the encoded video datainto video data while the further input means receives the signalrepresenting the encoded video data; and further output means foroutputting a multimedia signal representing the video data while thedecode means decodes the encoded video data. In some embodiments, theapparatus does not store any substantial portion of the video data orthe encoded video data. In some embodiments, the multimedia signalcomprises a high-definition television signal. Some embodiments comprisefirst network port means for receiving the packets of encrypted encodedvideo data and first other data from the network, and for transmittingsecond other data to the network; second network port means fortransmitting the first other data to a local network, and for receivingthe second other data from the local network; and switch means forpassing the packets of encrypted encoded video data from the firstnetwork port means to the input means, and for passing the first andsecond other data between the first and second network port means. Insome embodiments, the first network port means receives first voice dataand transmits second voice data, further comprising: analog telephoneinterface means for transmitting first analog telephone signalsrepresenting the first voice data, and for receiving second analogtelephone signals representing the second voice data; wherein the switchmeans passes the first and second voice data between the first networkport means and the analog telephone interface means. In someembodiments, the signal representing the encoded video data is awireless signal which is compliant with at least one standard selectedfrom the group consisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b,802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method comprising:receiving packets of encrypted encoded video data from a network;storing the encrypted encoded video data on a storage device; retrievingthe encrypted encoded video data from the storage device; decrypting theencrypted encoded video data into encoded video data while retrievingthe encrypted encoded video data from the storage device; andtransmitting a signal representing the encoded video data whiledecrypting the encrypted encoded video data.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. In someembodiments, the storage device does not store any substantial portionof the encoded video data. In some embodiments, the video datarepresents one or more videos, further comprising: determining a numberof the videos stored on the storage device; and transmitting a messageto the network, the message representing the number of the videos storedon the storage device. Some embodiments comprise receiving a command todiscard one of the videos stored on the storage device; discarding theone of the videos in response to the command; determining the currentnumber of the videos stored on the storage device; and transmitting amessage to the network, the message representing the current number ofthe videos stored on the storage device. In some embodiments, thenetwork comprises the Internet. Some embodiments comprise receiving thesignal representing the encoded video data; decoding the encoded videodata into video data while receiving the signal representing the encodedvideo data; and outputting a multimedia signal representing the videodata while decoding the encoded video data. In some embodiments, themultimedia signal comprises a high-definition television signal. Someembodiments comprise receiving the packets of encrypted encoded videodata and first other data from the network; transmitting second otherdata to the network; transmitting the first other data to a localnetwork; receiving the second other data from the local network; passingthe packets of encrypted encoded video data to the storage device; andpassing the first and second other data between the network and thelocal network. Some embodiments comprise receiving first voice data fromthe network; transmitting second voice data to the network; transmittingfirst analog telephone signals representing the first voice data; andreceiving second analog telephone signals representing the second voicedata. In some embodiments, the signal representing the encoded videodata is a wireless signal which is compliant with at least one standardselected from the group consisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a,802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a computer programexecutable on a processor, comprising: instructions for storingencrypted encoded video data on a storage device, wherein the encryptedencoded video data is received in packets from a network; instructionsfor retrieving the encrypted encoded video data from the storage device;and instructions for decrypting the encrypted encoded video data intoencoded video data while retrieving the encrypted encoded video datafrom the storage device; wherein a signal representing the encoded videodata is transmitted while decrypting the encrypted encoded video data.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. In someembodiments, the storage device does not store any substantial portionof the encoded video data. In some embodiments, the video datarepresents one or more videos, further comprising: determining a numberof the videos stored on the storage device; and transmitting a messageto the network, the message representing the number of the videos storedon the storage device. Some embodiments comprise instructions fordiscarding one of the videos stored on the storage device in response toa received command to discard the one of the videos; instructions fordetermining the current number of the videos stored on the storagedevice; and instructions for transmitting a message to the network, themessage representing the current number of the videos stored on thestorage device. In some embodiments, the network comprises the Internet.Some embodiments comprise instructions for decoding the encoded videodata into video data while receiving the signal representing the encodedvideo data; wherein a multimedia signal representing the video data isoutputted while decoding the encoded video data. In some embodiments,the multimedia signal comprises a high-definition television signal. Insome embodiments, the signal representing the encoded video data is awireless signal which is compliant with at least one standard selectedfrom the group consisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b,802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatuscomprising: an input circuit to receive packets of encrypted encodedvideo data from a network; a storage device to store the encryptedencoded video data; a retrieve circuit to retrieve the encrypted encodedvideo data from the storage device; and an output circuit to transmit asignal representing the encrypted encoded video data while the retrievecircuit retrieves the encrypted encoded video data from the storagedevice.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. In someembodiments, the video data represents one or more videos, the apparatusfurther comprising: a queue circuit to determine a number of the videosstored on the storage device; and a further output circuit to transmit amessage to the network, the message representing the number of thevideos stored on the storage device. Some embodiments comprise a controlcircuit to receive a command to discard one of the videos stored on thestorage device; wherein the storage device discards the one of thevideos in response to the control circuit; wherein the queue circuitthen determines the current number of the videos stored on the storagedevice; and wherein the further output circuit then transmits a messageto the network, the message representing the current number of thevideos stored on the storage device. In some embodiments, the networkcomprises the Internet. Some embodiments comprise a further inputcircuit to receive the signal representing the encrypted encoded videodata; a decrypt circuit to decrypt the encrypted encoded video data intoencoded video data while the further input circuit receives the signalrepresenting the encrypted encoded video data; a decode circuit todecode the encoded video data into video data while the decrypt circuitdecrypts the encoded video data; and a further output circuit to outputa multimedia signal representing the video data while the decode circuitdecodes the encoded video data. In some embodiments, the apparatus doesnot store any substantial portion of the video data or the encoded videodata. In some embodiments, the multimedia signal comprises ahigh-definition television signal. Some embodiments comprise a firstnetwork port to receive the packets of encrypted encoded video data andfirst other data from the network, and to transmit second other data tothe network; a second network port to transmit the first other data to alocal network, and to receive the second other data from the localnetwork; and a switch to pass the packets of encrypted encoded videodata from the first network port to the input circuit, and to pass thefirst and second other data between the first and second network ports.In some embodiments, the first network port receives first voice dataand transmits second voice data, the apparatus further comprising: ananalog telephone interface to transmit first analog telephone signalsrepresenting the first voice data, and to receive second analogtelephone signals representing the second voice data; wherein the switchpasses the first and second voice data between the first network portand the analog telephone interface. In some embodiments, the signalrepresenting the encrypted encoded video data is a wireless signal whichis compliant with at least one standard selected from the groupconsisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n,802.16, and 802.20.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatuscomprising: input means for receiving packets of encrypted encoded videodata from a network; storage means for storing the encrypted encodedvideo data; retrieve means for retrieving the encrypted encoded videodata from the storage means; and output means for transmitting a signalrepresenting the encrypted encoded video data while the retrieve meansretrieves the encrypted encoded video data from the storage means.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. In someembodiments, the video data represents one or more videos, furthercomprising: queue means for determining a number of the videos stored onthe storage means; and further output means for transmitting a messageto the network, the message representing the number of the videos storedon the storage means. Some embodiments comprise control means forreceiving a command to discard one of the videos stored on the storagemeans; wherein the storage means discards the one of the videos inresponse to the control means; wherein the queue means then determinesthe current number of the videos stored on the storage means; andwherein the further output means then transmits a message to thenetwork, the message representing the current number of the videosstored on the storage means. In some embodiments, the network comprisesthe Internet. Some embodiments comprise further input means forreceiving the signal representing the encrypted encoded video data;decrypt means for decrypting the encrypted encoded video data intoencoded video data while the further input means receives the signalrepresenting the encrypted encoded video data; decode means for decodingthe encoded video data into video data while the decrypt means decryptsthe encoded video data; and further output means for outputting amultimedia signal representing the video data while the decode meansdecodes the encoded video data. In some embodiments, the apparatus doesnot store any substantial portion of the video data or the encoded videodata. In some embodiments, the multimedia signal comprises ahigh-definition television signal. Some embodiments comprise firstnetwork port means for receiving the packets of encrypted encoded videodata and first other data from the network, and for transmitting secondother data to the network; second network port means for transmittingthe first other data to a local network, and for receiving the secondother data from the local network; and switch means for passing thepackets of encrypted encoded video data from the first network portmeans to the input means, and for passing the first and second otherdata between the first and second network port means. In someembodiments, the first network port means receives first voice data andtransmits second voice data, further comprising: analog telephoneinterface means for transmitting first analog telephone signalsrepresenting the first voice data, and for receiving second analogtelephone signals representing the second voice data; wherein the switchmeans passes the first and second voice data between the first networkport means and the analog telephone interface means. In someembodiments, the signal representing the encrypted encoded video data isa wireless signal which is compliant with at least one standard selectedfrom the group consisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b,802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method comprising:receiving packets of encrypted encoded video data from a network;storing the encrypted encoded video data on a storage device; retrievingthe encrypted encoded video data from the storage device; andtransmitting a signal representing the encrypted encoded video datawhile retrieving the encrypted encoded video data from the storagedevice.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. In someembodiments, the video data represents one or more videos, the methodfurther comprising: determining a number of the videos stored on thestorage device; and transmitting a message to the network, the messagerepresenting the number of the videos stored on the storage device. Someembodiments comprise receiving a command to discard one of the videosstored on the storage device; discarding the one of the videos inresponse to the command; determining the current number of the videosstored on the storage device; and transmitting a message to the network,the message representing the current number of the videos stored on thestorage device. In some embodiments, the network comprises the Internet.Some embodiments comprise receiving the signal representing theencrypted encoded video data; decrypting the encrypted encoded videodata into encoded video data while receiving the signal representing theencrypted encoded video data; decoding the encoded video data into videodata while decrypting the encoded video data; and outputting amultimedia signal representing the video data while decoding the encodedvideo data. In some embodiments, the multimedia signal comprises ahigh-definition television signal. Some embodiments comprise receivingthe packets of encrypted encoded video data and first other data fromthe network; transmitting second other data to the network; transmittingthe first other data to a local network; receiving the second other datafrom the local network; passing the packets of encrypted encoded videodata from network to the storage device; and passing the first andsecond other data between the network and the local network. Someembodiments comprise receiving first voice data from the network;transmitting second voice data to the network; transmitting first analogtelephone signals representing the first voice data; and receivingsecond analog telephone signals representing the second voice data. Insome embodiments, the signal representing the encoded video data is awireless signal which is compliant with at least one standard selectedfrom the group consisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b,802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a computer programexecutable on a processor, comprising: instructions for storingencrypted encoded video data on a storage device, wherein the encryptedencoded video data is received in packets from a network; andinstructions for retrieving the encrypted encoded video data from thestorage device; and wherein a signal representing the encrypted encodedvideo data is transmitted while retrieving the encrypted encoded videodata from the storage device.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. Someembodiments comprise, wherein the video data represents one or morevideos, instructions for determining a number of the videos stored onthe storage device; and instructions for transmitting a message to thenetwork, the message representing the number of the videos stored on thestorage device. Some embodiments comprise instructions for discardingone of the videos stored on the storage device in response to a receivedcommand; instructions for determining the current number of the videosstored on the storage device; and instructions for transmitting amessage to the network, the message representing the current number ofthe videos stored on the storage device. In some embodiments, thenetwork comprises the Internet. Some embodiments comprise instructionsfor decrypting the encrypted encoded video data into encoded video datawhile receiving a signal representing the encrypted encoded video data;and instructions for decoding the encoded video data into video datawhile decrypting the encoded video data; wherein a multimedia signalrepresenting the video data is outputted while decoding the encodedvideo data. In some embodiments, the multimedia signal comprises ahigh-definition television signal. In some embodiments, the signalrepresenting the encoded video data is a wireless signal which iscompliant with at least one standard selected from the group consistingof IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16,and 802.20.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatuscomprising: an input circuit to receive packets of encrypted encodedvideo data from a network; a storage device to store the encryptedencoded video data; a retrieve circuit to retrieve the encrypted encodedvideo data from the storage device; a decrypt circuit to decrypt theencrypted encoded video data into encoded video data while the retrievecircuit retrieves the encrypted encoded video data from the storagedevice; a decode circuit to decode the encoded video data into videodata while the decrypt circuit decrypts the encrypted encoded videodata; and an output circuit to output a multimedia signal representingthe video data while the decode circuit decodes the encoded video data.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. In someembodiments, the storage device does not store any substantial portionof the encoded video data or the video data. Some embodiments comprise,wherein the video data represents one or more videos, a queue circuit todetermine a number of the videos stored on the storage device; and afurther output circuit to transmit a message to the network, the messagerepresenting the number of the videos stored on the storage device. Someembodiments comprise a control circuit to receive a command to discardone of the videos stored on the storage device; wherein the storagedevice discards the one of the videos in response to the controlcircuit; wherein the queue circuit then determines the current number ofthe videos stored on the storage device; and wherein the further outputcircuit then transmits a message to the network, the messagerepresenting the current number of the videos stored on the storagedevice. In some embodiments, the network comprises the Internet. In someembodiments, the multimedia signal comprises a high-definitiontelevision signal. Some embodiments comprise a first network port toreceive the packets of encrypted encoded video data and first other datafrom the network, and to transmit second other data to the network; asecond network port to transmit the first other data to a local network,and to receive the second other data from the local network; and aswitch to pass the packets of encrypted encoded video data from thefirst network port to the input circuit, and to pass the first andsecond other data between the first and second network ports. Someembodiments comprise, wherein the first network port receives firstvoice data and transmits second voice data, an analog telephoneinterface to transmit first analog telephone signals representing thefirst voice data, and to receive second analog telephone signalsrepresenting the second voice data; wherein the switch passes the firstand second voice data between the first network port and the analogtelephone interface.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatuscomprising: input means for receiving packets of encrypted encoded videodata from a network; storage means for storing the encrypted encodedvideo data; retrieve means for retrieving the encrypted encoded videodata from the storage means; decrypt means for decrypting the encryptedencoded video data into encoded video data while the retrieve meansretrieves the encrypted encoded video data from the storage means;decode means for decoding the encoded video data into video data whilethe decrypt means decrypts the encrypted encoded video data; and outputmeans for outputting a multimedia signal representing the video datawhile the decode means decodes the encoded video data.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. In someembodiments, the storage means does not store any substantial portion ofthe encoded video data or the video data. Some embodiments comprise,wherein the video data represents one or more videos, queue means fordetermining a number of the videos stored on the storage means; andfurther output means for transmitting a message to the network, themessage representing the number of the videos stored on the storagemeans. Some embodiments comprise control means for receiving a commandto discard one of the videos stored on the storage means; wherein thestorage means discards the one of the videos in response to the controlcircuit; wherein the queue means then determines the current number ofthe videos stored on the storage means; and wherein the further outputmeans then transmits a message to the network, the message representingthe current number of the videos stored on the storage means. In someembodiments, the network comprises the Internet. In some embodiments,the multimedia signal comprises a high-definition television signal.Some embodiments comprise first network port means for receiving thepackets of encrypted encoded video data and first other data from thenetwork, and for transmitting second other data to the network; secondnetwork port means for transmitting the first other data to a localnetwork, and for receiving the second other data from the local network;and switch means for passing the packets of encrypted encoded video datafrom the first network port means to the input means, and for passingthe first and second other data between the first and second networkport means. Some embodiments comprise, wherein the first network portmeans receives first voice data and transmits second voice data, analogtelephone interface means for transmitting first analog telephonesignals representing the first voice data, and for receiving secondanalog telephone signals representing the second voice data; wherein theswitch means passes the first and second voice data between the firstnetwork port means and the analog telephone interface means.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method comprising:receiving packets of encrypted encoded video data from a network;storing the encrypted encoded video data on a storage device; retrievingthe encrypted encoded video data from the storage device; decrypting theencrypted encoded video data into encoded video data while retrievingthe encrypted encoded video data from the storage device; decoding theencoded video data into video data while decrypting the encryptedencoded video data; and outputting a multimedia signal representing thevideo data while decoding the encoded video data.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. In someembodiments, the storage device does not store any substantial portionof the encoded video data or the video data. Some embodiments comprise,wherein the video data represents one or more videos, determining anumber of the videos stored on the storage device; and transmitting amessage to the network, the message representing the number of thevideos stored on the storage device. Some embodiments comprise receivinga command to discard one of the videos stored on the storage device;discarding the one of the videos in response to the command; determiningthe current number of the videos stored on the storage device; andtransmitting a message to the network, the message representing thecurrent number of the videos stored on the storage device. In someembodiments, the network comprises the Internet. In some embodiments,the multimedia signal comprises a high-definition television signal.Some embodiments comprise receiving the packets of encrypted encodedvideo data and first other data from the network; transmitting secondother data to the network; transmitting the first other data to a localnetwork; receiving the second other data from the local network; passingthe packets of encrypted encoded video data from network to the storagedevice; and passing the first and second other data between the networkand the local network. Some embodiments comprise receiving first voicedata from the network; transmitting second voice data to the network;transmitting first analog telephone signals representing the first voicedata; and receiving second analog telephone signals representing thesecond voice data.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a computer programexecutable on a processor, comprising: instructions for storingencrypted encoded video data on a storage device, wherein the encryptedencoded video data is received in packets from a network; instructionsfor retrieving the encrypted encoded video data from the storage device;instructions for decrypting the encrypted encoded video data intoencoded video data while retrieving the encrypted encoded video datafrom the storage device; and instructions for decoding the encoded videodata into video data while decrypting the encrypted encoded video data;wherein a multimedia signal representing the video data is outputtedwhile decoding the encoded video data.

In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.In some embodiments, the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. In someembodiments, the storage device does not store any substantial portionof the encoded video data or the video data. Some embodiments comprise,wherein the video data represents one or more videos, instructions fordetermining a number of the videos stored on the storage device; andinstructions for transmitting a message to the network, the messagerepresenting the number of the videos stored on the storage device. Someembodiments comprise discarding one of the videos stored on the storagedevice in response to a received command; instructions for determiningthe current number of the videos stored on the storage device; andinstructions for transmitting a message to the network, the messagerepresenting the current number of the videos stored on the storagedevice. In some embodiments, the network comprises the Internet. In someembodiments, the multimedia signal comprises a high-definitiontelevision signal.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a business methodcomprising: providing a list of available encrypted videos; receivingselections of one or more of the encrypted videos from a customer;adding identifiers of the selected encrypted videos to a queue for thecustomer; receiving an indication of a number of the encrypted videosstored on a storage device associated with the customer; andelectronically transmitting one of the encrypted videos having one ofthe identifiers in the queue to the storage device when the number ofthe encrypted videos stored on the storage device is less than apredetermined maximum number.

Some embodiments comprise at least one of: billing the customer atregular intervals; and billing the customer for each of the encryptedvideos transmitted to the customer. Some embodiments comprise removingan identifier of the one of the encrypted videos from the queue aftertransmitting the one of the encrypted videos to the storage device.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a computer programexecutable on a processor, comprising: instructions for providing a listof available encrypted videos; instructions for adding identifiers ofone or more of the encrypted videos to a queue for a customer inresponse to receiving selections of the one or more of the encryptedvideos from the customer; and instructions for electronicallytransmitting one of the encrypted videos having one of the identifiersin the queue to the storage device when the number of the encryptedvideos stored on the storage device is less than a predetermined maximumnumber.

Some embodiments comprise at least one of: instructions for billing thecustomer at regular intervals; and instructions for billing the customerfor each of the encrypted videos transmitted to the customer. Someembodiments comprise instructions for removing an identifier of the oneof the encrypted videos from the queue after transmitting the one of theencrypted videos to the storage device.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will beapparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a secure video distribution system comprising a storageunit that transfers encoded video data to a separate set-top unitaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a business method for the video provider of the securevideo distribution system of FIG. 1, and for video providers in any ofthe other secure video distribution systems described herein, accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a process for the storage unit and set-top unit of thesecure video distribution system of FIG. 1 according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a secure video distribution system comprising a storageunit that transfers encrypted encoded video data to a separate set-topunit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a process for the storage unit and set-top unit of thesecure video distribution system of FIG. 4 according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a secure video distribution system where the storage unitand set-top unit are combined into a single unit according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a process for the customer unit of the secure videodistribution system of FIG. 6 according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 8A-8F show various exemplary implementations of the presentinvention.

The leading digit(s) of each reference numeral used in thisspecification indicates the number of the drawing in which the referencenumeral first appears.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide secure video distributionfor video such as movies, including high-definition videos. The videosare preferably encoded as video data, and are preferably encryptedbefore distribution. According to some embodiments, packets of theencrypted encoded video data are received by a storage unit at thecustomer site, where the encrypted encoded video data is stored on astorage device such as a hard disk drive. When the customer initiatesplayback of a video stored on the storage device, the encrypted encodedvideo data is retrieved, decrypted, and transmitted, preferably by awireless link, to one or more set-top units, which decode the encodedvideo data and output a multimedia signal for a rendering device such asa television, projector, speaker system, and the like. In someembodiments, the decryption is performed by the set-top unit instead ofthe storage unit. In still other embodiments, the storage and set-topunits are combined as a single customer unit. Preferably none of theunits store any substantial portion of the encoded video data or thevideo data, but store only the encrypted encoded video data to preventunauthorized duplication and distribution of the video data.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a business method forsecure video distribution. According to the method a video providerprovides a list of available encrypted videos, receives selections ofthe encrypted videos from customers, and adds an identifier of eachvideo selected by customer to a queue for the customer. Each customer isallowed to store a predetermined maximum number of the encrypted videoson a storage device at the customer site. The video provider receives anindication of the number of the encrypted videos stored on each storagedevice. When the number of the encrypted videos stored on a customer'sstorage device falls below the customer's predetermined maximum number,for example because the customer has discarded one of the videos, thevideo provider electronically transmits one of the encrypted videoshaving an identifier in the customer's queue to the customer's storagedevice.

FIG. 1 shows a secure video distribution system 100 comprising a storageunit 104 that transfers encoded video data to a separate set-top unit108 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Securevideo distribution system 100 comprises a video provider 102 incommunication with storage unit 104 at a customer site over a network106 such as the Internet. While some embodiments of the presentinvention are described according to a client-server distribution model,other embodiments can employ peer-to-peer distribution techniques when asufficient customer base is present.

Storage unit 104 communicates with set-top unit 108 over a link 110 thatis preferably wireless. Preferably link 110 is compliant with at leastone of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n,802.16, and 802.20. In a preferred embodiment, link 110 is a MIMO linkcompliant with IEEE standard 802.11n. Set-top unit 108 provides amultimedia signal 112 to a television set 114 or one or more otherrendering device such as a projector, speaker system, and the like.Multimedia signal 112 is preferably a high-definition television signalsuch as a HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) signal, but can beany sort of signal that carries audio and video information to arendering device.

Storage unit 104 comprises a storage device 116 to store encryptedencoded video data received from video provider 102, a retrieve circuit118 to retrieve the packets of encrypted encoded video data from storagedevice 116, and a decrypt circuit 120 to decrypt the encrypted encodedvideo data. Storage unit 104 also comprises a wide-area network (WAN)port 122 comprising an input circuit 124 to receive the encryptedencoded video data from video provider 102 and an output circuit 126 totransmit messages to video provider 102. Storage unit 104 may alsocomprise an output circuit 128 to transmit a signal representing theencoded video data over link 110. Storage unit 104 may further comprisean input circuit 130 to receive commands, for example commands receivedby television set 114 from a remote control (not shown) and relayed byset-top unit 108. Storage unit 104 may also comprise a queue circuit 132to determine a number of the videos stored on storage device 116, and acontrol circuit 134 to receive and/or execute commands such as commandsreceived by input circuit 130. The number of videos can represent thetotal number of videos stored on storage device 116, or can indicate anumber of videos added to, or deleted from, storage device 116 or thelike. The messages transmitted by output circuit 126 to video provider102 can include messages indicating the number of videos.

Set-top unit 108 comprises an input circuit 136 to receive the signalrepresenting the encoded video data over link 110, a decode circuit 138to decode the encoded video data while the input circuit 136 receivesthe signal representing the encoded video data, and an output circuit140 to output multimedia signal 112 representing the video data whiledecode circuit 138 decodes the encoded video data. Preferably neitherstorage unit 104 nor set-top unit 108 stores any substantial portion ofthe encoded video data or the video data, but stores only the encryptedencoded video data to prevent unauthorized duplication and distributionof the video data.

In some embodiments storage unit 104 includes a local-area network (LAN)port 142 and a switch 144 to provide communication between a LAN 146 andnetwork 106, and to provide quality of service for different data flows.According to these embodiments, WAN port 122 receives the packets ofencrypted encoded video data from network 106, and exchanges other datawith network 106. LAN port 142 exchanges data with LAN 146. Switch 144passes the encrypted encoded video data from WAN port 122 to storagedevice 116, and passes data between WAN port 122 and LAN port 142.

In some embodiments storage unit 104 includes an analog telephoneinterface (ATI) 148 and switch 144 to providevoice-over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) services, and to provide quality ofservice for different data flows. According to these embodiments, WANport 122 receives and transmits voice data. Analog telephone interface148 transmits and receives analog telephone signals representing voicedata. Switch 144 passes voice data between the WAN port 122 and analogtelephone interface 148.

Preferably storage device 116 is registered to storage unit 104according to conventional techniques so that storage device 116 willoperate only when installed in storage unit 104 to prevent unauthorizedduplication and distribution of the video data. For example, each ofstorage device 116 and storage unit 104 can include read-only memoriesthat contain codes that are compared by control circuit 134. Of course,other techniques can be used to implement the registration.

FIG. 2 shows a business method 200 for video provider 102 of securevideo distribution system 100, and for video providers in any of theother secure video distribution systems described herein, according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention. Video provider 102provides a list of available encrypted videos (step 202). Customersreview the list and select one or more of the available encryptedvideos, for example using television set 114 and set-top unit 108. Videoprovider 102 receives the selections (step 204).

Video provider 102 maintains a queue of selected videos for eachcustomer. Each customer can modify the queue, for example by selectingvideos, removing videos, or changing the order of the videos in thequeue. On receiving a customer selection of a video, video provider 102adds an identifier of the selected encrypted video to the customer'squeue (step 206).

Preferably each customer is only allowed up to a predetermined maximumnumber of videos at a time. Video provider 102 receives an indication ofa number of the encrypted videos stored on the customer's storage device116 (step 208). When the number of the encrypted videos is less than thepredetermined maximum number (step 210), video provider 102 selects oneof the encrypted videos having an identifier in the customer's queue,and electronically transmits the encrypted video to the customer'sstorage device 116 (step 212). Video provider 102 removes the identifierof the encrypted video from the customer's queue after transmitting theencrypted video (step 214). Video provider 102 bills the customer foreach encrypted video transmitted to the customer (step 216).Alternatively, video provider 102 bills the customer at regularintervals.

FIG. 3 shows a process 300 for storage unit 104 and set-top unit 108 ofsecure video distribution system 100 of FIG. 1 according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention. While the steps in FIG. 3 are shownin sequence, the steps preferably overlap substantially in time. Inputcircuit 124 of WAN port 122 in storage unit 104 receives packets ofencrypted encoded video data from network 106 (step 302). In variousembodiments, the video data represents one or more videos provided byvideo provider 102. The packets of encrypted encoded video data caninclude Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data,Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data, and the like.

Storage device 116 of storage unit 104 stores the encrypted encodedvideo data (step 304). Retrieve circuit 118 of storage unit 104retrieves the encrypted encoded video data from storage device 116 (step306), for example in response to a user command to play a video. Decryptcircuit 120 of storage unit 104 decrypts the encrypted encoded videodata while retrieve circuit 118 retrieves the encrypted encoded videodata from storage device 116 (step 308). Output circuit 128 of storageunit 104 transmits a signal representing the encoded video data overlink 110 while decrypt circuit 120 decrypts the encoded video data (step310). Preferably the signal is a MIMO signal compliant with IEEEstandard 802.11n, although of course other sorts of wired, optical, orwireless signals can be used. Preferably storage unit 104 does not storeany substantial portion of the encoded video data to preventunauthorized duplication and distribution of the video data. In someembodiments, the encoding is proprietary so that the transmission overlink 110 is secure.

Input circuit 136 of set-top unit 108 receives the signal representingthe encoded video data (step 312). Decode circuit 138 of set-top unit108 decodes the encoded video data while input circuit 136 receives thesignal representing the encoded video data (step 314). Output circuit140 of set-top unit 108 outputs multimedia signal 112 representing thevideo data while decode circuit 138 decodes the encoded video data (step316). Multimedia signal 112 is preferably an HDMI signal, but can be anysort of signal that carries audio and video information to a renderingdevice. Preferably set-top unit 108 does not store any substantialportion of the video data or the encoded video data to preventunauthorized duplication and distribution of the video data.

FIG. 4 shows a secure video distribution system 400 comprising a storageunit 404 that transfers encrypted encoded video data to a separateset-top unit 408 according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Secure video distribution system 400 is similar to securevideo distribution system 100 of FIG. 1 except that decrypt circuit 120is located in set-top unit 408 rather than storage unit 404.

FIG. 5 shows a process 500 for storage unit 404 and set-top unit 408 ofsecure video distribution system 400 of FIG. 4 according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention. While the steps in FIG. 5 are shownin sequence, the steps preferably overlap substantially in time. Inputcircuit 124 of WAN port 122 in storage unit 404 receives packets ofencrypted encoded video data from network 106 (step 502). In someembodiments, the video data represents one or more videos provided byvideo provider 102. The packets of encrypted encoded video data caninclude Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data,Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data, and the like.

Storage device 116 of storage unit 404 stores the encrypted encodedvideo data (step 504). Retrieve circuit 118 of storage unit 404retrieves the encrypted encoded video data from storage device 116 (step506), for example in response to a user command to play a video. Outputcircuit 128 of storage unit 404 transmits a signal representing theencrypted encoded video data over link 110 while retrieve circuit 118retrieves the encrypted encoded video data from storage device 116 (step508). Preferably the signal is a MIMO signal compliant with IEEEstandard 802.11 n, although of course other sorts of wired, optical, orwireless signals can be used.

Input circuit 136 of set-top unit 408 receives the signal representingthe encoded video data (step 510). Decrypt circuit 120 of set-top unit408 decrypts the encrypted encoded video data while input circuit 136receives the signal representing the encrypted encoded video data (step512). Decode circuit 138 of set-top unit 408 decodes the encoded videodata while decrypt circuit 120 decrypts the encoded video data (step514). Output circuit 140 of set-top unit 408 outputs multimedia signal112 representing the video data while decode circuit 138 decodes theencoded video data. Multimedia signal 112 is preferably an HDMI signal,but can be any sort of signal that carries audio and video informationto a rendering device. Preferably set-top unit 408 does not store anysubstantial portion of the video data or the encoded video data toprevent unauthorized duplication and distribution of the video data.

FIG. 6 shows a secure video distribution system 600 where the storageunit and set-top unit are combined into a single customer unit 604according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Securevideo distribution system 600 is similar to secure video distributionsystem 100 of FIG. 1 except that link 110, output circuit 128, and inputcircuit 136 are not present.

FIG. 7 shows a process 700 for customer unit 604 of secure videodistribution system 600 of FIG. 6 according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. While the steps in FIG. 7 are shown in sequence,the steps preferably overlap substantially in time. Input circuit 124 ofWAN port 122 in customer unit 604 receives packets of encrypted encodedvideo data from network 106 (step 702). In some embodiments, the videodata represents one or more videos provided by video provider 102. Thepackets of encrypted encoded video data can include Internet Protocolpackets of the encrypted encoded video data, Ethernet packets of theencrypted encoded video data, and the like.

Storage device 116 of customer unit 604 stores the encrypted encodedvideo data (step 704). Retrieve circuit 118 of customer unit 604retrieves the encrypted encoded video data from storage device 116 (step706), for example in response to a user command to play a video. Decryptcircuit 120 of customer unit 604 decrypts the encrypted encoded videodata while retrieve circuit 118 retrieves the encrypted encoded videodata from storage device 116 (step 708). Decode circuit 138 of customerunit 604 decodes the encoded video data while decrypt circuit 120decrypts the encoded video data (step 710). Output circuit 140 ofcustomer unit 604 outputs multimedia signal 112 representing the videodata while decode circuit 138 decodes the encoded video data. Multimediasignal 112 is preferably an HDMI signal, but can be any sort of signalthat carries audio and video information to a rendering device.Preferably customer unit 604 does not store any substantial portion ofthe video data or the encoded video data to prevent unauthorizedduplication and distribution of the video data.

FIGS. 8A-8F show various exemplary implementations of the presentinvention. Referring now to FIG. 8A, the present invention can beimplemented in a hard disk drive (HDD) 801. The present invention mayimplement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits,which are generally identified in FIG. 8A at 802. In someimplementations, the signal processing and/or control circuit 802 and/orother circuits (not shown) in the HDD 801 may process data, performcoding and/or encrypt, perform calculations, and/or format data that isoutput to and/or received from a magnetic storage medium 803.

The HDD 801 may communicate with a host device (not shown) such as acomputer, mobile computing devices such as personal digital assistants,cellular phones, media or MP3 players and the like, and/or other devicesvia one or more wired or wireless communication links 804. The HDD 801may be connected to memory 805 such as random access memory (RAM), lowlatency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory, read only memory (ROM)and/or other suitable electronic data storage.

Referring now to FIG. 8B, the present invention can be implemented in adigital versatile disc (DVD) drive 806. The present invention mayimplement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits,which are generally identified in FIG. 8B at 807, and/or mass datastorage of the DVD drive 806. The signal processing and/or controlcircuit 807 and/or other circuits (not shown) in the DVD drive 806 mayprocess data, perform coding and/or encrypt, perform calculations,and/or format data that is read from and/or data written to an opticalstorage medium 808. In some implementations, the signal processingand/or control circuit 807 and/or other circuits (not shown) in the DVDdrive 806 can also perform other functions such as encoding and/ordecoding and/or any other signal processing functions associated with aDVD drive.

The DVD drive 806 may communicate with an output device (not shown) suchas a computer, television or other device via one or more wired orwireless communication links 809. The DVD drive 806 may communicate withmass data storage 810 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner. The massdata storage 810 may include a hard disk drive (HDD). The HDD may havethe configuration shown in FIG. 8A. The HDD may be a mini HDD thatincludes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller thanapproximately 1.8″. The DVD drive 806 may be connected to memory 811such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memoryand/or other suitable electronic data storage.

Referring now to FIG. 8C, the present invention can be implemented in ahigh definition television (HDTV) 812. The present invention mayimplement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits,which are generally identified in FIG. 8C at 813, a WLAN interfaceand/or mass data storage of the HDTV 812. The HDTV 812 receives HDTVinput signals in either a wired or wireless format and generates HDTVoutput signals for a display 814. In some implementations, signalprocessing circuit and/or control circuit 813 and/or other circuits (notshown) of the HDTV 812 may process data, perform coding and/or encrypt,perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other type of HDTVprocessing that may be required.

The HDTV 812 may communicate with mass data storage 815 that stores datain a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices.At least one HDD may have the configuration shown in FIG. 8A and/or atleast one DVD drive may have the configuration shown in FIG. 8B. The HDDmay be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameterthat is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The HDTV 812 may be connectedto memory 816 such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such asflash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The HDTV 812also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface817.

Referring now to FIG. 8D, the present invention can be implemented in acellular phone 828 that may include a cellular antenna 829. The presentinvention may implement either or both signal processing and/or controlcircuits, which are generally identified in FIG. 8D at 830, a WLANinterface and/or mass data storage of the cellular phone 828. In someimplementations, the cellular phone 828 includes a microphone 831, anaudio output 832 such as a speaker and/or audio output jack, a display833 and/or an input device 834 such as a keypad, pointing device, voiceactuation and/or other input device. The signal processing and/orcontrol circuits 830 and/or other circuits (not shown) in the cellularphone 828 may process data, perform coding and/or encrypt, performcalculations, format data and/or perform other cellular phone functions.

The cellular phone 828 may communicate with mass data storage 835 thatstores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magneticstorage devices including HDDs and/or DVD drives. At least one HDD mayhave the configuration shown in FIG. 8A and/or at least one DVD drivemay have the configuration shown in FIG. 8B. The HDD may be a mini HDDthat includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smallerthan approximately 1.8″. The cellular phone 828 may be connected tomemory 836 such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such asflash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The cellularphone 828 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN networkinterface 837.

Referring now to FIG. 8E, the present invention can be implemented in aset top box 838. The present invention may implement either or bothsignal processing and/or control circuits, which are generallyidentified in FIG. 8E at 839, a WLAN interface and/or mass data storageof the set top box 838. The set top box 838 receives signals from asource such as a broadband source and outputs standard and/or highdefinition audio/video signals suitable for a display 840 such as atelevision, a monitor and/or other video and/or audio output devices.The signal processing and/or control circuits 839 and/or other circuits(not shown) of the set top box 838 may process data, perform codingand/or encrypt, perform calculations, format data and/or perform anyother set top box functions.

The set top box 838 may communicate with mass data storage 843 thatstores data in a nonvolatile manner. The mass data storage 843 mayinclude optical and/or magnetic storage devices including HDDs and/orDVD drives. At least one HDD may have the configuration shown in FIG. 8Aand/or at least one DVD drive may have the configuration shown in FIG.8B. The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters havinga diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The set top box 838may be connected to memory 842 such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatilememory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic datastorage. The set top box 838 also may support connections with a WLANvia a WLAN network interface 843.

Referring now to FIG. 8F, the present invention can be implemented in amedia player 844. The present invention may implement either or bothsignal processing and/or control circuits, which are generallyidentified in FIG. 8F at 845, a WLAN interface and/or mass data storageof the media player 844. In some implementations, the media player 844includes a display 846 and/or a user input 847 such as a keypad,touchpad and the like. In some implementations, the media player 844 mayemploy a graphical user interface (GUI) that typically employs menus,drop down menus, icons and/or a point-and-click interface via thedisplay 846 and/or user input 847. The media player 844 further includesan audio output 848 such as a speaker and/or audio output jack. Thesignal processing and/or control circuits 845 and/or other circuits (notshown) of the media player 844 may process data, perform coding and/orencrypt, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any othermedia player functions.

The media player 844 may communicate with mass data storage 849 thatstores data such as compressed audio and/or video content in anonvolatile manner. In some implementations, the compressed audio filesinclude files that are compliant with MP3 format or other suitablecompressed audio and/or video formats. The mass data storage 849 mayinclude optical and/or magnetic storage devices including HDDs and/orDVD drives. At least one HDD may have the configuration shown in FIG. 8Aand/or at least one DVD drive may have the configuration shown in FIG.8B. The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters havinga diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. The media player 844may be connected to memory 850 such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatilememory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic datastorage. The media player 844 also may support connections with a WLANvia a WLAN network interface 851. Still other implementations inaddition to those described above are contemplated.

Embodiments of the invention can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or incombinations of them. Apparatus of the invention can be implemented in acomputer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storagedevice for execution by a programmable processor; and method steps ofthe invention can be performed by a programmable processor executing aprogram of instructions to perform functions of the invention byoperating on input data and generating output. The invention can beimplemented advantageously in one or more computer programs that areexecutable on a programmable system including at least one programmableprocessor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmitdata and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one inputdevice, and at least one output device. Each computer program can beimplemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programminglanguage, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in anycase, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitableprocessors include, by way of example, both general and special purposemicroprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions anddata from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Generally, acomputer will include one or more mass storage devices for storing datafiles; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disksand removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storagedevices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructionsand data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way ofexample semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flashmemory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removabledisks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing canbe supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specificintegrated circuits).

A number of implementations of the invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the followingclaims.

1. An apparatus comprising: an input circuit to receive packets ofencrypted encoded video data from a network; a storage device to storethe encrypted encoded video data; a retrieve circuit to retrieve theencrypted encoded video data from the storage device; a decrypt circuitto decrypt the encrypted encoded video data into encoded video datawhile the retrieve circuit retrieves the encrypted encoded video datafrom the storage device; and an output circuit to transmit a signalrepresenting the encoded video data while the decrypt circuit decryptsthe encrypted encoded video data.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1: whereinthe packets of encrypted encoded video data comprise Internet Protocolpackets of the encrypted encoded video data.
 3. The apparatus of claim1: wherein the packets of encrypted encoded video data comprise Ethernetpackets of the encrypted encoded video data.
 4. The apparatus of claim1: wherein the storage device does not store any substantial portion ofthe encoded video data.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the videodata represents one or more videos, further comprising: a queue circuitto determine a number of the videos stored on the storage device; and afurther output circuit to transmit a message to the network, the messagerepresenting the number of the videos stored on the storage device. 6.The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a control circuit toreceive a command to discard one of the videos stored on the storagedevice; wherein the storage device discards the one of the videos inresponse to the control circuit; wherein the queue circuit thendetermines the current number of the videos stored on the storagedevice; and wherein the further output circuit then transmits a messageto the network, the message representing the current number of thevideos stored on the storage device.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the network comprises the Internet.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: a further input circuit to receive the signalrepresenting the encoded video data; a decode circuit to decode theencoded video data into video data while the further input circuitreceives the signal representing the encoded video data; and a furtheroutput circuit to output a multimedia signal representing the video datawhile the decode circuit decodes the encoded video data.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8: wherein the apparatus does not store anysubstantial portion of the video data or the encoded video data.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the multimedia signal comprises ahigh-definition television signal.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first network port to receive the packets of encryptedencoded video data and first other data from the network, and totransmit second other data to the network; a second network port totransmit the first other data to a local network, and to receive thesecond other data from the local network; and a switch to pass thepackets of encrypted encoded video data from the first network port tothe input circuit, and to pass the first and second other data betweenthe first and second network ports.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the first network port receives first voice data and transmitssecond voice data, further comprising: an analog telephone interface totransmit first analog telephone signals representing the first voicedata, and to receive second analog telephone signals representing thesecond voice data; wherein the switch passes the first and second voicedata between the first network port and the analog telephone interface.13. The apparatus of claim 1: wherein the signal representing theencoded video data is a wireless signal which is compliant with at leastone standard selected from the group consisting of IEEE standards802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20.
 14. Anapparatus comprising: input means for receiving packets of encryptedencoded video data from a network; storage means for storing theencrypted encoded video data; retrieve means for retrieving theencrypted encoded video data from the storage means; decrypt means fordecrypting the encrypted encoded video data into encoded video datawhile the retrieve means retrieves the encrypted encoded video data fromthe storage means; and output means for transmitting a signalrepresenting the encoded video data while the decrypt means decrypts theencrypted encoded video data.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14: wherein thepackets of encrypted encoded video data comprise Internet Protocolpackets of the encrypted encoded video data.
 16. The apparatus of claim14: wherein the packets of encrypted encoded video data compriseEthernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data.
 17. The apparatusof claim 14: wherein the storage means does not store any substantialportion of the encoded video data.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the video data represents one or more videos, furthercomprising: queue means for determining a number of the videos stored onthe storage means; and further output means for transmitting a messageto the network, the message representing the number of the videos storedon the storage means.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:control means for receiving a command to discard one of the videosstored on the storage means; wherein the storage means discards the oneof the videos in response to the control means; wherein the queue meansthen determines the current number of the videos stored on the storagemeans; and wherein the further output means then transmits a message tothe network, the message representing the current number of the videosstored on the storage means.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein thenetwork comprises the Internet.
 21. The apparatus of claim 14, furthercomprising: further input means for receiving the signal representingthe encoded video data; decode means for decoding the encoded video datainto video data while the further input means receives the signalrepresenting the encoded video data; and further output means foroutputting a multimedia signal representing the video data while thedecode means decodes the encoded video data.
 22. The apparatus of claim21: wherein the apparatus does not store any substantial portion of thevideo data or the encoded video data.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21,wherein the multimedia signal comprises a high-definition televisionsignal.
 24. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: first networkport means for receiving the packets of encrypted encoded video data andfirst other data from the network, and for transmitting second otherdata to the network; second network port means for transmitting thefirst other data to a local network, and for receiving the second otherdata from the local network; and switch means for passing the packets ofencrypted encoded video data from the first network port means to theinput means, and for passing the first and second other data between thefirst and second network port means.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24,wherein the first network port means receives first voice data andtransmits second voice data, further comprising: analog telephoneinterface means for transmitting first analog telephone signalsrepresenting the first voice data, and for receiving second analogtelephone signals representing the second voice data; wherein the switchmeans passes the first and second voice data between the first networkport means and the analog telephone interface means.
 26. The apparatusof claim 14: wherein the signal representing the encoded video data is awireless signal which is compliant with at least one standard selectedfrom the group consisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b,802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20.
 27. A method comprising: receivingpackets of encrypted encoded video data from a network; storing theencrypted encoded video data on a storage device; retrieving theencrypted encoded video data from the storage device; decrypting theencrypted encoded video data into encoded video data while retrievingthe encrypted encoded video data from the storage device; andtransmitting a signal representing the encoded video data whiledecrypting the encrypted encoded video data.
 28. The method of claim 27:wherein the packets of encrypted encoded video data comprise InternetProtocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.
 29. The method ofclaim 27: wherein the packets of encrypted encoded video data compriseEthernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data.
 30. The method ofclaim 27: wherein the storage device does not store any substantialportion of the encoded video data.
 31. The method of claim 27, whereinthe video data represents one or more videos, further comprising:determining a number of the videos stored on the storage device; andtransmitting a message to the network, the message representing thenumber of the videos stored on the storage device.
 32. The method ofclaim 27, further comprising: receiving a command to discard one of thevideos stored on the storage device; discarding the one of the videos inresponse to the command; determining the current number of the videosstored on the storage device; and transmitting a message to the network,the message representing the current number of the videos stored on thestorage device.
 33. The method of claim 27, wherein the networkcomprises the Internet.
 34. The method of claim 27, further comprising:receiving the signal representing the encoded video data; decoding theencoded video data into video data while receiving the signalrepresenting the encoded video data; and outputting a multimedia signalrepresenting the video data while decoding the encoded video data. 35.The method of claim 34, wherein the multimedia signal comprises ahigh-definition television signal.
 36. The method of claim 27, furthercomprising: receiving the packets of encrypted encoded video data andfirst other data from the network; transmitting second other data to thenetwork; transmitting the first other data to a local network; receivingthe second other data from the local network; passing the packets ofencrypted encoded video data to the storage device; and passing thefirst and second other data between the network and the local network.37. The method of claim 27, further comprising: receiving first voicedata from the network; transmitting second voice data to the network;transmitting first analog telephone signals representing the first voicedata; and receiving second analog telephone signals representing thesecond voice data.
 38. The method of claim 27, wherein the signalrepresenting the encoded video data is a wireless signal which iscompliant with at least one standard selected from the group consistingof IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16,and 802.20.
 39. A computer program executable on a processor,comprising: instructions for storing encrypted encoded video data on astorage device, wherein the encrypted encoded video data is received inpackets from a network; instructions for retrieving the encryptedencoded video data from the storage device; and instructions fordecrypting the encrypted encoded video data into encoded video datawhile retrieving the encrypted encoded video data from the storagedevice; wherein a signal representing the encoded video data istransmitted while decrypting the encrypted encoded video data.
 40. Thecomputer program of claim 39: wherein the packets of encrypted encodedvideo data comprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encodedvideo data.
 41. The computer program of claim 39: wherein the packets ofencrypted encoded video data comprise Ethernet packets of the encryptedencoded video data.
 42. The computer program of claim 39: wherein thestorage device does not store any substantial portion of the encodedvideo data.
 43. The computer program of claim 39, wherein the video datarepresents one or more videos, further comprising: determining a numberof the videos stored on the storage device; and transmitting a messageto the network, the message representing the number of the videos storedon the storage device.
 44. The computer program of claim 39, furthercomprising: instructions for discarding one of the videos stored on thestorage device in response to a received command to discard the one ofthe videos; instructions for determining the current number of thevideos stored on the storage device; and instructions for transmitting amessage to the network, the message representing the current number ofthe videos stored on the storage device.
 45. The computer program ofclaim 39, wherein the network comprises the Internet.
 46. The computerprogram of claim 39, further comprising: instructions for decoding theencoded video data into video data while receiving the signalrepresenting the encoded video data; wherein a multimedia signalrepresenting the video data is outputted while decoding the encodedvideo data.
 47. The computer program of claim 46, wherein the multimediasignal comprises a high-definition television signal.
 48. The computerprogram of claim 39, wherein the signal representing the encoded videodata is a wireless signal which is compliant with at least one standardselected from the group consisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a,802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20.
 49. An apparatuscomprising: an input circuit to receive packets of encrypted encodedvideo data from a network; a storage device to store the encryptedencoded video data; a retrieve circuit to retrieve the encrypted encodedvideo data from the storage device; and an output circuit to transmit asignal representing the encrypted encoded video data while the retrievecircuit retrieves the encrypted encoded video data from the storagedevice.
 50. The apparatus of claim 49: wherein the packets of encryptedencoded video data comprise Internet Protocol packets of the encryptedencoded video data.
 51. The apparatus of claim 49: wherein the packetsof encrypted encoded video data comprise Ethernet packets of theencrypted encoded video data.
 52. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein thevideo data represents one or more videos, further comprising: a queuecircuit to determine a number of the videos stored on the storagedevice; and a further output circuit to transmit a message to thenetwork, the message representing the number of the videos stored on thestorage device.
 53. The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising: acontrol circuit to receive a command to discard one of the videos storedon the storage device; wherein the storage device discards the one ofthe videos in response to the control circuit; wherein the queue circuitthen determines the current number of the videos stored on the storagedevice; and wherein the further output circuit then transmits a messageto the network, the message representing the current number of thevideos stored on the storage device.
 54. The apparatus of claim 49,wherein the network comprises the Internet.
 55. The apparatus of claim54, further comprising: a further input circuit to receive the signalrepresenting the encrypted encoded video data; a decrypt circuit todecrypt the encrypted encoded video data into encoded video data whilethe further input circuit receives the signal representing the encryptedencoded video data; a decode circuit to decode the encoded video datainto video data while the decrypt circuit decrypts the encoded videodata; and a further output circuit to output a multimedia signalrepresenting the video data while the decode circuit decodes the encodedvideo data.
 56. The apparatus of claim 55: wherein the apparatus doesnot store any substantial portion of the video data or the encoded videodata.
 57. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the multimedia signalcomprises a high-definition television signal.
 58. The apparatus ofclaim 49, further comprising: a first network port to receive thepackets of encrypted encoded video data and first other data from thenetwork, and to transmit second other data to the network; a secondnetwork port to transmit the first other data to a local network, and toreceive the second other data from the local network; and a switch topass the packets of encrypted encoded video data from the first networkport to the input circuit, and to pass the first and second other databetween the first and second network ports.
 59. The apparatus of claim58, wherein the first network port receives first voice data andtransmits second voice data, further comprising: an analog telephoneinterface to transmit first analog telephone signals representing thefirst voice data, and to receive second analog telephone signalsrepresenting the second voice data; wherein the switch passes the firstand second voice data between the first network port and the analogtelephone interface.
 60. The apparatus of claim 49: wherein the signalrepresenting the encrypted encoded video data is a wireless signal whichis compliant with at least one standard selected from the groupconsisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n,802.16, and 802.20.
 61. An apparatus comprising: input means forreceiving packets of encrypted encoded video data from a network;storage means for storing the encrypted encoded video data; retrievemeans for retrieving the encrypted encoded video data from the storagemeans; and output means for transmitting a signal representing theencrypted encoded video data while the retrieve means retrieves theencrypted encoded video data from the storage means.
 62. The apparatusof claim 61: wherein the packets of encrypted encoded video datacomprise Internet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.63. The apparatus of claim 61: wherein the packets of encrypted encodedvideo data comprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded videodata.
 64. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the video data representsone or more videos, further comprising: queue means for determining anumber of the videos stored on the storage means; and further outputmeans for transmitting a message to the network, the messagerepresenting the number of the videos stored on the storage means. 65.The apparatus of claim 61, further comprising: control means forreceiving a command to discard one of the videos stored on the storagemeans; wherein the storage means discards the one of the videos inresponse to the control means; wherein the queue means then determinesthe current number of the videos stored on the storage means; andwherein the further output means then transmits a message to thenetwork, the message representing the current number of the videosstored on the storage means.
 66. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein thenetwork comprises the Internet.
 67. The apparatus of claim 66, furthercomprising: further input means for receiving the signal representingthe encrypted encoded video data; decrypt means for decrypting theencrypted encoded video data into encoded video data while the furtherinput means receives the signal representing the encrypted encoded videodata; decode means for decoding the encoded video data into video datawhile the decrypt means decrypts the encoded video data; and furtheroutput means for outputting a multimedia signal representing the videodata while the decode means decodes the encoded video data.
 68. Theapparatus of claim 67: wherein the apparatus does not store anysubstantial portion of the video data or the encoded video data.
 69. Theapparatus of claim 67, wherein the multimedia signal comprises ahigh-definition television signal.
 70. The apparatus of claim 61,further comprising: first network port means for receiving the packetsof encrypted encoded video data and first other data from the network,and for transmitting second other data to the network; second networkport means for transmitting the first other data to a local network, andfor receiving the second other data from the local network; and switchmeans for passing the packets of encrypted encoded video data from thefirst network port means to the input means, and for passing the firstand second other data between the first and second network port means.71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the first network port meansreceives first voice data and transmits second voice data, furthercomprising: analog telephone interface means for transmitting firstanalog telephone signals representing the first voice data, and forreceiving second analog telephone signals representing the second voicedata; wherein the switch means passes the first and second voice databetween the first network port means and the analog telephone interfacemeans.
 72. The apparatus of claim 61: wherein the signal representingthe encrypted encoded video data is a wireless signal which is compliantwith at least one standard selected from the group consisting of IEEEstandards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16, and802.20.
 73. A method comprising: receiving packets of encrypted encodedvideo data from a network; storing the encrypted encoded video data on astorage device; retrieving the encrypted encoded video data from thestorage device; and transmitting a signal representing the encryptedencoded video data while retrieving the encrypted encoded video datafrom the storage device.
 74. The method of claim 73: wherein the packetsof encrypted encoded video data comprise Internet Protocol packets ofthe encrypted encoded video data.
 75. The method of claim 73: whereinthe packets of encrypted encoded video data comprise Ethernet packets ofthe encrypted encoded video data.
 76. The method of claim 73, whereinthe video data represents one or more videos, further comprising:determining a number of the videos stored on the storage device; andtransmitting a message to the network, the message representing thenumber of the videos stored on the storage device.
 77. The method ofclaim 73, further comprising: receiving a command to discard one of thevideos stored on the storage device; discarding the one of the videos inresponse to the command; determining the current number of the videosstored on the storage device; and transmitting a message to the network,the message representing the current number of the videos stored on thestorage device.
 78. The method of claim 73, wherein the networkcomprises the Internet.
 79. The method of claim 78, further comprising:receiving the signal representing the encrypted encoded video data;decrypting the encrypted encoded video data into encoded video datawhile receiving the signal representing the encrypted encoded videodata; decoding the encoded video data into video data while decryptingthe encoded video data; and outputting a multimedia signal representingthe video data while decoding the encoded video data.
 80. The method ofclaim 79, wherein the multimedia signal comprises a high-definitiontelevision signal.
 81. The method of claim 73, further comprising:receiving the packets of encrypted encoded video data and first otherdata from the network; transmitting second other data to the network;transmitting the first other data to a local network; receiving thesecond other data from the local network; passing the packets ofencrypted encoded video data from network to the storage device; andpassing the first and second other data between the network and thelocal network.
 82. The method of claim 73, further comprising: receivingfirst voice data from the network; transmitting second voice data to thenetwork; transmitting first analog telephone signals representing thefirst voice data; and receiving second analog telephone signalsrepresenting the second voice data.
 83. The method of claim 73, whereinthe signal representing the encoded video data is a wireless signalwhich is compliant with at least one standard selected from the groupconsisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n,802.16, and 802.20.
 84. A computer program executable on a processor,comprising: instructions for storing encrypted encoded video data on astorage device, wherein the encrypted encoded video data is received inpackets from a network; and instructions for retrieving the encryptedencoded video data from the storage device; and wherein a signalrepresenting the encrypted encoded video data is transmitted whileretrieving the encrypted encoded video data from the storage device. 85.The computer program of claim 84: wherein the packets of encryptedencoded video data comprise Internet Protocol packets of the encryptedencoded video data.
 86. The computer program of claim 84: wherein thepackets of encrypted encoded video data comprise Ethernet packets of theencrypted encoded video data.
 87. The computer program of claim 84,wherein the video data represents one or more videos, furthercomprising: instructions for determining a number of the videos storedon the storage device; and instructions for transmitting a message tothe network, the message representing the number of the videos stored onthe storage device.
 88. The computer program of claim 84, furthercomprising: instructions for discarding one of the videos stored on thestorage device in response to a received command; instructions fordetermining the current number of the videos stored on the storagedevice; and instructions for transmitting a message to the network, themessage representing the current number of the videos stored on thestorage device.
 89. The computer program of claim 84, wherein thenetwork comprises the Internet.
 90. The computer program of claim 89,further comprising: instructions for decrypting the encrypted encodedvideo data into encoded video data while receiving a signal representingthe encrypted encoded video data; and instructions for decoding theencoded video data into video data while decrypting the encoded videodata; wherein a multimedia signal representing the video data isoutputted while decoding the encoded video data.
 91. The computerprogram of claim 90, wherein the multimedia signal comprises ahigh-definition television signal.
 92. The computer program of claim 84,wherein the signal representing the encoded video data is a wirelesssignal which is compliant with at least one standard selected from thegroup consisting of IEEE standards 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g,802.11n, 802.16, and 802.20.
 93. An apparatus comprising: an inputcircuit to receive packets of encrypted encoded video data from anetwork; a storage device to store the encrypted encoded video data; aretrieve circuit to retrieve the encrypted encoded video data from thestorage device; a decrypt circuit to decrypt the encrypted encoded videodata into encoded video data while the retrieve circuit retrieves theencrypted encoded video data from the storage device; a decode circuitto decode the encoded video data into video data while the decryptcircuit decrypts the encrypted encoded video data; and an output circuitto output a multimedia signal representing the video data while thedecode circuit decodes the encoded video data.
 94. The apparatus ofclaim 93: wherein the packets of encrypted encoded video data compriseInternet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.
 95. Theapparatus of claim 93: wherein the packets of encrypted encoded videodata comprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data. 96.The apparatus of claim 93: wherein the storage device does not store anysubstantial portion of the encoded video data or the video data.
 97. Theapparatus of claim 93, wherein the video data represents one or morevideos, further comprising: a queue circuit to determine a number of thevideos stored on the storage device; and a further output circuit totransmit a message to the network, the message representing the numberof the videos stored on the storage device.
 98. The apparatus of claim93, further comprising: a control circuit to receive a command todiscard one of the videos stored on the storage device; wherein thestorage device discards the one of the videos in response to the controlcircuit; wherein the queue circuit then determines the current number ofthe videos stored on the storage device; and wherein the further outputcircuit then transmits a message to the network, the messagerepresenting the current number of the videos stored on the storagedevice.
 99. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the network comprises theInternet.
 100. The apparatus of claim 93, wherein the multimedia signalcomprises a high-definition television signal.
 101. The apparatus ofclaim 93, further comprising: a first network port to receive thepackets of encrypted encoded video data and first other data from thenetwork, and to transmit second other data to the network; a secondnetwork port to transmit the first other data to a local network, and toreceive the second other data from the local network; and a switch topass the packets of encrypted encoded video data from the first networkport to the input circuit, and to pass the first and second other databetween the first and second network ports.
 102. The apparatus of claim101, wherein the first network port receives first voice data andtransmits second voice data, further comprising: an analog telephoneinterface to transmit first analog telephone signals representing thefirst voice data, and to receive second analog telephone signalsrepresenting the second voice data; wherein the switch passes the firstand second voice data between the first network port and the analogtelephone interface.
 103. An apparatus comprising: input means forreceiving packets of encrypted encoded video data from a network;storage means for storing the encrypted encoded video data; retrievemeans for retrieving the encrypted encoded video data from the storagemeans; decrypt means for decrypting the encrypted encoded video datainto encoded video data while the retrieve means retrieves the encryptedencoded video data from the storage means; decode means for decoding theencoded video data into video data while the decrypt means decrypts theencrypted encoded video data; and output means for outputting amultimedia signal representing the video data while the decode meansdecodes the encoded video data.
 104. The apparatus of claim 103: whereinthe packets of encrypted encoded video data comprise Internet Protocolpackets of the encrypted encoded video data.
 105. The apparatus of claim103: wherein the packets of encrypted encoded video data compriseEthernet packets of the encrypted encoded video data.
 106. The apparatusof claim 103: wherein the storage means does not store any substantialportion of the encoded video data or the video data.
 107. The apparatusof claim 103, wherein the video data represents one or more videos,further comprising: queue means for determining a number of the videosstored on the storage means; and further output means for transmitting amessage to the network, the message representing the number of thevideos stored on the storage means.
 108. The apparatus of claim 103,further comprising: control means for receiving a command to discard oneof the videos stored on the storage means; wherein the storage meansdiscards the one of the videos in response to the control circuit;wherein the queue means then determines the current number of the videosstored on the storage means; and wherein the further output means thentransmits a message to the network, the message representing the currentnumber of the videos stored on the storage means.
 109. The apparatus ofclaim 103, wherein the network comprises the Internet.
 110. Theapparatus of claim 103, wherein the multimedia signal comprises ahigh-definition television signal.
 111. The apparatus of claim 103,further comprising: first network port means for receiving the packetsof encrypted encoded video data and first other data from the network,and for transmitting second other data to the network; second networkport means for transmitting the first other data to a local network, andfor receiving the second other data from the local network; and switchmeans for passing the packets of encrypted encoded video data from thefirst network port means to the input means, and for passing the firstand second other data between the first and second network port means.112. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein the first network port meansreceives first voice data and transmits second voice data, furthercomprising: analog telephone interface means for transmitting firstanalog telephone signals representing the first voice data, and forreceiving second analog telephone signals representing the second voicedata; wherein the switch means passes the first and second voice databetween the first network port means and the analog telephone interfacemeans.
 113. A method comprising: receiving packets of encrypted encodedvideo data from a network; storing the encrypted encoded video data on astorage device; retrieving the encrypted encoded video data from thestorage device; decrypting the encrypted encoded video data into encodedvideo data while retrieving the encrypted encoded video data from thestorage device; decoding the encoded video data into video data whiledecrypting the encrypted encoded video data; and outputting a multimediasignal representing the video data while decoding the encoded videodata.
 114. The method of claim 113: wherein the packets of encryptedencoded video data comprise Internet Protocol packets of the encryptedencoded video data.
 115. The method of claim 113: wherein the packets ofencrypted encoded video data comprise Ethernet packets of the encryptedencoded video data.
 116. The method of claim 113: wherein the storagedevice does not store any substantial portion of the encoded video dataor the video data.
 117. The method of claim 113, wherein the video datarepresents one or more videos, further comprising: determining a numberof the videos stored on the storage device; and transmitting a messageto the network, the message representing the number of the videos storedon the storage device.
 118. The method of claim 113, further comprising:receiving a command to discard one of the videos stored on the storagedevice; discarding the one of the videos in response to the command;determining the current number of the videos stored on the storagedevice; and transmitting a message to the network, the messagerepresenting the current number of the videos stored on the storagedevice.
 119. The method of claim 113, wherein the network comprises theInternet.
 120. The method of claim 113, wherein the multimedia signalcomprises a high-definition television signal.
 121. The method of claim113, further comprising: receiving the packets of encrypted encodedvideo data and first other data from the network; transmitting secondother data to the network; transmitting the first other data to a localnetwork; receiving the second other data from the local network; passingthe packets of encrypted encoded video data from network to the storagedevice; and passing the first and second other data between the networkand the local network.
 122. The method of claim 113, further comprising:receiving first voice data from the network; transmitting second voicedata to the network; transmitting first analog telephone signalsrepresenting the first voice data; and receiving second analog telephonesignals representing the second voice data.
 123. A computer programexecutable on a processor, comprising: instructions for storingencrypted encoded video data on a storage device, wherein the encryptedencoded video data is received in packets from a network; instructionsfor retrieving the encrypted encoded video data from the storage device;instructions for decrypting the encrypted encoded video data intoencoded video data while retrieving the encrypted encoded video datafrom the storage device; and instructions for decoding the encoded videodata into video data while decrypting the encrypted encoded video data;wherein a multimedia signal representing the video data is outputtedwhile decoding the encoded video data.
 124. The computer program ofclaim 123: wherein the packets of encrypted encoded video data compriseInternet Protocol packets of the encrypted encoded video data.
 125. Thecomputer program of claim 123: wherein the packets of encrypted encodedvideo data comprise Ethernet packets of the encrypted encoded videodata.
 126. The computer program of claim 123: wherein the storage devicedoes not store any substantial portion of the encoded video data or thevideo data.
 127. The computer program of claim 123, wherein the videodata represents one or more videos, further comprising: instructions fordetermining a number of the videos stored on the storage device; andinstructions for transmitting a message to the network, the messagerepresenting the number of the videos stored on the storage device. 128.The computer program of claim 123, further comprising: discarding one ofthe videos stored on the storage device in response to a receivedcommand; instructions for determining the current number of the videosstored on the storage device; and instructions for transmitting amessage to the network, the message representing the current number ofthe videos stored on the storage device.
 129. The computer program ofclaim 123, wherein the network comprises the Internet.
 130. The computerprogram of claim 123, wherein the multimedia signal comprises ahigh-definition television signal.
 131. A business method comprising:providing a list of available encrypted videos; receiving selections ofone or more of the encrypted videos from a customer; adding identifiersof the selected encrypted videos to a queue for the customer; receivingan indication of a number of the encrypted videos stored on a storagedevice associated with the customer; and electronically transmitting oneof the encrypted videos having one of the identifiers in the queue tothe storage device when the number of the encrypted videos stored on thestorage device is less than a predetermined maximum number.
 132. Thebusiness method of claim 131, further comprising at least one of:billing the customer at regular intervals; and billing the customer foreach of the encrypted videos transmitted to the customer.
 133. Thebusiness method of claim 131, further comprising: removing an identifierof the one of the encrypted videos from the queue after transmitting theone of the encrypted videos to the storage device.
 134. A computerprogram executable on a processor, comprising: instructions forproviding a list of available encrypted videos; instructions for addingidentifiers of one or more of the encrypted videos to a queue for acustomer in response to receiving selections of the one or more of theencrypted videos from the customer; and instructions for electronicallytransmitting one of the encrypted videos having one of the identifiersin the queue to the storage device when the number of the encryptedvideos stored on the storage device is less than a predetermined maximumnumber.
 135. The computer program of claim 134, further comprising atleast one of: instructions for billing the customer at regularintervals; and instructions for billing the customer for each of theencrypted videos transmitted to the customer.
 136. The computer programof claim 134, further comprising: instructions for removing anidentifier of the one of the encrypted videos from the queue aftertransmitting the one of the encrypted videos to the storage device.